The Piano Tuner By Peter Meinke Summary

In “The Piano Tuner” by Peter Meinke, a man claiming to be a piano tuner invades the narrator's home. This disturbs the seeming peace, creating conflict that is more evident. I think the tone towards the piano tuner can be described as overpowering.
This tone is revealed through the description of the character. In this story, the piano tuner is described as large and heavy, two prominent physical characteristics that give the impression of someone who is overpowering. On page 139, the narrator says, “I came up to about his shoulders,” and “His voice resonated like the bass in a barbershop quartet.” Then saying on page 148, “But he was a hundred pounds heavier than I was”. Physically, the piano tuner is sizable relative to the narrator, as

In this story, the piano tuners words are disrespectful and threatening, which can definitely be associated with overpowering. On page 143, the piano tuner says to the narrator, “We’re all going to die sooner or later, so I might as well strangle you now.” He then says, on page 149, “Listen, the next time you bother me I’ll pop your eyes out.” When overpowering someone, the offender will usually use demeaning or threatening language toward their victim, meant to frighten them. This is exactly what the piano tuner is doing. Therefore, the words of the piano tuner reveal the tone towards him as overpowering.
Therefore, the tone towards the piano tuner is overpowering. The description of the piano tuner is evidently large and heavy, and especially sizable relative to the narrator, revealing the tone towards him as overpowering. Also, the actions of the piano tuner reveal that he can be move swiftly as he pleases, and has the power to take control of, and overpower the narrator, revealing the tone towards him as overpowering. Finally, the words of the piano tuner are disrespectful, unmistakably threatening, and meant to frighten the narrator, revealing the tone towards him as